Crossword Genius

This writer following article's message (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

theme

'message' is the definition.
(theme is a kind of message)

'this writer following article's' is the wordplay.
'this writer' becomes 'me' (the person who is writing these clues**).
'following' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'article' becomes 'the' (the 'definite article' part of speech).
'me' after 'the' is 'THEME'.

(Other definitions for theme that I've seen before include "Melody on which variations are constructed" , "essay" , "Signature tune" , "Main idea or topic" , "Leitmotiv" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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